Pasco deputy remains hospitalized, battling infection from dog attack

ZEPHYRHILLS — The Pasco County deputy who killed a pit bull that attacked him over the weekend is expected to remain hospitalized at least another day, while he battles an infection in the arm where he was bitten, authorities said.

Deputy Brent Taber was attempting to serve an arrest warrant about 2:30 p.m. Sunday when he stopped at 39809 Cole Ave., according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. He thought a woman there was flagging him down, but she was not. As Taber returned to his patrol car, authorities said, the woman's pit bull charged a gate, forced it open and ran toward the deputy. After the dog latched onto his left arm, Taber shot and killed the dog.

Taber, 43, who has been with the agency for four years, was taken to Tampa General Hospital for the injuries to his arm. He has no broken bones and no tendon damage, the Sheriff's Office said.

An investigation showed the dog's release was unintentional. But the woman, Demetria Livingston, 47, was cited by the Sheriff's Office for failure to properly contain the dog. Pasco County Animal Services also cited her for failure to tag it properly.

Animal Services is sending the remains of the pit bull to a state lab in Kissimmee for testing. Authorities expect to have the results later this week.

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